Mark 8 - 9.18.26
Scripture: Mark 8:34
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. “
Observation:
Jesus called the people to come and listen. They might have been distracted talking among themselves, as a teacher I can relate. Or, maybe they were about their daily business and Jesus called them to come listen. Regardless, this shows what he was going to say is important. He is giving instructions on how to be His disciple:
Deny themselves - we so want to satisfy our own desires and follow our own agenda, but to be a true follower we need to say, “Not my will, but yours be done.”
Take up your cross - something occurred to me- This is before Jesus died on one. It doesn’t have the significance it does after Jesus dies on one for our sins. What could this signify? Maybe the thing God is calling us to do that seems too hard but we need to trust and do it? Or a sacrifice for the Kingdom He is asking us to make? We need to pick up what God is calling us to do and …
Follow Him - When we follow someone we keep them in view at all times. We go where they go, turn when they turn, stop when they stop.
Application:
I want to truly follow Jesus. I love how God revealed to me simple facts about following someone - YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON THEM! If you look away they could make a turn you don’t see. In order to do this there are distractions I need to get rid of. I need to daily pick up the things God is asking me to do. Jesus asked God to take the cup from Him. He was referring to dying on the cross. That is when He said, “Not my will but Yours be done.” I need to follow Jesus’s example and do the hard things. When I obey lives are changed.
Prayer:
Father God,
Thank you that you have good things for me and I am not left on my own to figure them out. You are faithful to show me the way to walk in your best for me. Help me to daily pick up the cross, your will for me. May I keep my eyes on you so you can give me direction. When, I stray please guide me back. Thank you for how wonderful and loving you are. Amen
- Cindy Howard
